Sylvie Willis
Diesel vehicles are known for their fuel efficiency and powerful performance. In the US market, diesel engine options are now mostly limited to commercial vehicles such as pickup trucks, SUVs, and cargo vans. However, some passenger vehicles like the Jeep Gladiator and Chevrolet Silverado offer diesel engine variants, providing impressive torque and fuel economy. The GMC Yukon, with its diesel V6 engine, offers exceptional towing capacity and a spacious interior. Diesel engines, with their high compression combustion, deliver greater fuel efficiency than gasoline engines but are slightly louder and have heavier internal components.
Diesel Cars
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cars | Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, Jeep Gladiator, GMC Yukon, Ram 1500, Chevrolet Colorado, Honda Ridgeline, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, Ford Super Duty |
| Engine | 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel Engine, 6.6L V8, 3.6L V6, 3.0L Turbo-Diesel, 2.8L 4-cylinder Turbo-Diesel, 6.7L Power Stroke |
| Other Features | High torque, low noise and vibration, good fuel economy, high towing capacity, large cargo space |
| Fuel | Biodiesel blends, B5, B20 |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel cars in the US
Diesel vehicles are still available in the US, although their popularity has declined since the "Dieselgate" scandal of 2015, which saw Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche stop selling diesel vehicles after it was found that they were emitting more than the legal emissions limit during actual driving. Today, the only diesel vehicles offered in the US market are pickups, SUVs, and cargo vans aimed at the commercial vehicle market.
Diesel vehicles remain a good choice for certain buyers as they are inherently more fuel-efficient and offer a greater driving range. For example, a 2022 Chevy Tahoe LT large SUV with a diesel engine saves $539 per year in fuel costs compared to the standard 5.3L gas engine, despite the higher cost of the diesel engine itself.
Several options are available for those looking to purchase a diesel vehicle in the US. The Jeep Gladiator, powered by a 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel Engine, offers best-in-class torque of up to 442 pound-feet and a fuel economy rating of up to 28 highway mpg. The Cadillac Escalade with the Duramax 3.0L turbo-diesel engine offers a considerable fuel economy boost and pleasing torque characteristics. The Chevrolet Silverado, with the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel engine, offers exceptional torque, horsepower, and towing capabilities, while the Ford Super Duty with the 6.7L Power Stroke engine has class-leading torque output.
For those looking for a larger vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Van is a 15-seater van that offers ample power and a luxurious experience, with a spacious cabin, reclining seats, and advanced technology features. The GMC Yukon is another option, with its three engine choices, including a V6 diesel, delivering enough power to tow 7,700 to 8,400 pounds.
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Diesel cars and fuel efficiency
Diesel engines are more fuel-efficient than similar-sized gasoline engines. Diesel fuel contains roughly 10% to 15% more energy than gasoline, so diesel vehicles can often go about 20% to 35% farther on a gallon of fuel than their gasoline counterparts. Diesel engines are also more efficient than gasoline engines on highways, where they are 29% more efficient, and in cities, where they are 24% more efficient.
Diesel engines are also more efficient than gasoline engines because they do not have spark plugs. Instead, they use very high compression to generate the heat required for ignition, which is also known as compression ignition. This makes diesel engines more thrifty with fuel than gasoline engines. However, this high compression also makes diesel engines louder than gasoline engines.
Diesel engines are a good option for those who drive many highway miles per year and plan to keep their car for a long time. This is because, although diesel fuel is more expensive, it is more efficient, so the savings on fuel costs can offset the higher upfront cost of a diesel engine over time. For example, a 2022 Chevy Tahoe LT large SUV with a diesel engine saves $539 per year on fuel costs compared to the same vehicle with a gasoline engine, despite diesel fuel being more expensive. However, it takes two years of these savings to break even on the higher upfront cost of the diesel engine option. Therefore, diesel engines are a good option for those who plan to keep their car for a long time to take advantage of the long-term fuel savings.
There are several examples of diesel vehicles that are available in the US market. These include pickups, SUVs, and cargo vans, such as the 2023 Ram 1500, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, and the GMC Yukon.
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Diesel cars and torque
Diesel-engined cars are known for producing higher torque outputs than their petrol-powered counterparts. The first reason for this is their higher compression ratio, which is the ratio of the maximum and minimum volume in the cylinder of an engine. This is larger in a diesel engine due to its longer stroke, meaning the piston moves up and down a larger internal volume of the cylinder.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines torque as "a force that produces or tends to produce rotation or torsion". The greater the crankpin offset to the centerline of the crank, the greater the perpendicular distance will be for any degree of crankshaft rotation. Consequently, the more leverage the pressure on the piston top that produces or tends to produce rotation of the crankshaft, or the more force it can exert: torque.
Another factor is the pressure exerted on the piston from the combusted fuel. Diesel has a slightly lower calorific value than petrol, meaning more heat is contained within petrol for a given volume than diesel. However, diesel is much denser than petrol and can store up to 15% more energy per given volume. This means that each time diesel is combusted, more energy is transferred through to pressure on the piston, increasing the amount of torque acting through the crankshaft.
Many diesel engines are also turbocharged to make up for the lack of out-and-out horsepower and engine speed. This creates a higher pressure within the cylinder for the power stroke, which in turn creates an increase in torque. Turbo-diesels operate at higher turbocharger boost levels than comparable gasoline engines. Diesel fuel has about 11% more energy per gallon than gasoline.
Diesel engines were first developed to rival the steam engine, designed to move very heavy loads, making high torque and constant speed essential. Gasoline engines, on the other hand, were developed for functions where high power-to-weight ratios were needed, such as early aircraft and motorbikes.
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Biodiesel blends in diesel cars
Diesel vehicles are known for their fuel efficiency and powerful performance. In the US market, diesel options are currently limited to pickups, SUVs, and cargo vans aimed at commercial use. Diesel engines work through high compression, which combusts the mixture of fuel and air introduced to the engine, doing away with spark plugs.
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable alternative to conventional diesel, made from a mix of modified vegetable oils and diesel fuel. Biodiesel blends are becoming increasingly common, with almost all regular diesel sold in the US containing up to 5% biodiesel. This is often unknown to diesel car and truck drivers, but fleet operators actively seek out these blends, with many opting for B20, a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum. Biodiesel blends have the advantage of being made from renewable resources, reducing a country's dependence on foreign oil.
B20 blends are also popular because they balance cost, emissions, cold-weather performance, and compatibility with conventional engines. B20 and lower blends can be used in current engines without modifications, and many diesel engine manufacturers approve the use of B20. However, users should always consult their vehicle and engine warranty statements before using biodiesel. Engines running on B20 have similar performance to those using petroleum diesel, with most users reporting no noticeable difference in performance or fuel economy.
While biodiesel has many benefits, there are some concerns about its quality and long-term effects on diesel vehicles. Biodiesel must be stored at the correct temperature; too warm, and it can grow mould, too cold, and it thickens and becomes hard to dispense. High-level blends, such as B100, can also impact engine warranties, gel in cold temperatures, and present unique storage issues. B100 blends can increase nitrogen oxide emissions, though they reduce other toxic emissions, and have a solvent effect, cleaning a vehicle's fuel system of deposits accumulated from petroleum diesel use.
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Diesel cars and pollution
Diesel cars have been the subject of negative publicity due to the amount of toxic emissions they produce. Diesel fuel, which is refined from crude oil, produces many harmful emissions when burned, and diesel-fueled vehicles are a major source of pollutants such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter. These emissions have been linked to poor heart health and an increased number of hospital admissions.
To address this issue, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established standards for the sulfur content of diesel fuel and emissions from new diesel engines. The petroleum industry has responded by producing Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel, which helps to reduce emissions in older engines as well. Using ULSD fuel and advanced exhaust emission control systems can reduce vehicle particulate emissions by up to 90% and nitrogen compound (NOx) emissions by 25% to 50%. However, even with these advances, diesel fuel use still contributes to air pollution. In 2022, diesel fuel consumption accounted for about 25% of total US transportation sector CO2 emissions and about 10% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions.
The science indicates that diesel vehicles produce more than four times the pollution of petrol cars. Modern diesels are fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) to trap dangerous soot particles, but some garages offer to remove these filters to improve performance. Some governments are planning to discourage the use of diesel cars or even ban them from urban areas due to their emissions.
Despite the negative impact of diesel cars on the environment, they have been promoted as a more environmentally friendly alternative to petrol cars. This promotion was part of the EU's response to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is now clear that replacing petrol cars with diesel ones has been worse for human health, even if it has resulted in lower CO2 emissions and climate impacts.
Some examples of diesel cars include the 2023 Ram 1500, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, and the GMC Yukon.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel is used by a variety of vehicles, including pickups, SUVs, and cargo vans. Some specific examples include the 2023 Ram 1500, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, the Jeep Gladiator, and the GMC Yukon.
Diesel engines are more efficient and use less fuel than gas engines. They also tend to have more torque, which provides better acceleration. Additionally, diesel fuel can be more cost-effective in the long run, despite the higher initial cost of diesel vehicles.
Yes, all diesel vehicles can operate using biodiesel blends. B5 (5% biodiesel) is approved for use in all diesel cars, and many manufacturers also approve the use of B20 (20% biodiesel). However, it is important to check with your car's manufacturer to ensure that higher-level blends are approved for your specific vehicle.
